Golf practice device

ABSTRACT

A golf ball is supported on the free end of an arm freely swingable generally 90* about a horizontal axis between an upright position with the ball disposed uppermost and a horizontal position with the ball swung forwardly and downwardly relative to a support structure from which the arm is pivotally supported. The support structure includes a resilient impact abutment block with which the ball impacts upon its movement to its second position and which causes the ball to bounce back toward its first position after being swung rapidly toward its second position. Further, the support structure includes physical features defining a progressively narrowing slot in which the free end portion of the arm swings during its final return movement toward its first position and the surfaces defining the narrowest end of the slot frictionally engage the opposite side portions of the free end of the arm to check its return to the first upright position thereof.

United States Patent [72] inventor [54] GOLF PRACTICE DEVICE 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

s2 U.S.Cl............. 273 2001; 51 1nt.Cl ..A63b69l36 so FieldofSearch 273/183,

184,185,186,196,197,l98,200,26,95 A; 73/379,380 A, 381 G [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,419,636 6/1922 MacDonald 273/185 D Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo Attorneys-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT: A golf ball is supported on the free end of an arm freely swingable generally 90 about a horizontal axis between an upright position with the ball disposed uppermost and a horizontal position with the ball swung forwardly and downwardly relative to a support structure from which the arm is pivotally supported. The support structure includes a resilient impact abutment block with which the ball impacts upon its movement to its second position and which causes the ball to bounce back toward its first position after being swung rapidly toward its second position. Further, the support structure includes physical features defining a progressively narrowing slot in which the free end portion of the arm swings during its final return movement toward its first position and the surfaces defining the narrowest end of the slot frictionally engage the opposite side portions of the free end of the arm to check its return to the first upright position thereof.

PATENTEDHBI SIS?! 3,610,683

l4 l f I "WWW 2o 20 Fig 4 Samuel C; Schecfer v .INVIENTOR.

wmaoii'n @i -zo I pf. W MW GOLF PRACTICE DEVICE The practice device of the instant invention has been designed primarily to assist a golfer in practicing tee shots. The practice device captively supports a golf ball or simulated golf ball on the free end of an arm swingable through an arc of generally 90 between an upright initial position with the ball disposed uppermost and a horizontal position.

When the arm upon which the ball is supported is disposed upright, the ball is spaced above a support surface upon which a golfer may stand and the elevation of the ball above that surface is generally equal to the elevation above the ground in which a teed golf ball is disposed.

A golfer may use the practicedevice for fully and accurately simulating tee shots and the ball of the practice device, when struck by a driver, swings rapidly forwardly and downwardly into a position disposed below the are through which the head of the driver is being swung whereby the club head may continue to swing past the position in which the simulated golf ball was positioned before being struck by the golf club. In this manner, a golfer may practice his swing for driving a golf ball from a tee. In addition, the practice device includes resilient abutment means against which the simulated golf ball impacts to limits its forward and downward movement and which functions to bounce the simulated ball rearwardly and upwardly toward its initial position. In order to check the rapid return movement of the simulated golf ball to its initial position, the structure from which the arm upon which the golf ball is supported includes physical characteristics defining a progressively narrowing slot through which that end of the arm adjacent the simulated ball swings during final movement of the simulated ball to its initial position. The narrowest portion of the slot is such that the opposite sides thereof frictionally grip diametrically opposite portions of the arm end upon which the simulated ball is mounted and in this manner, return of the simulated golf ball to its initial position is smoothly retarded so that there will be no tendency for the arm or the simulated golf ball to bounce forwardly after the arm is again returned to its upright position.

The main object of this invention is to provide a'practice device which may be utilized by golfers to improve their tee shots.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide a golf practice device which will be fully operative as intended, even when alternately used by persons whose swings move the associated club heads at substantially different speeds.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a golf practice device which may be readily used by substantially all golfers.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a golf practice device in accordance with the preceding object which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf practice device being utilized by a right handed golfer;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the left foreground corner portion of the practice device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Referring now more specifically to the drawingspthe numeral 10 generally designates the golf practice device of the instant invention. The device 10 includes a base referred to in general by the reference numeral 12 provided with an upwardly and outwardly opening notch or recess 14 in one comer portion thereof. The base 12 is preformed out of plastic or other suitable moldable material but may be formed of wood, fiberboard or metal, if desired. The practice device 10 is adapted to be utilized either inside or outside and provides a steady platform whether supported from a flooring structure within a building or from the ground outside of a building.

The device 10 has its notch or recess 14 formed in one comer portion and the notch 14 opens horizontallyoutwardly of the corresponding corner portion of the base in a direction extending counterclockwise about the periphery of the base when the latter is viewed from above and when the device 10 l is designed for use by a right-handed person. However, if the device 10 is to be utilized by a left-handed person the notch or recess will open horizontally outwardly of the corresponding corner portion of the base in a clockwise direction extending about the periphery of the base and when the latter is viewed from above.

The notch or recess 14 includes a bottom wall portion 16 to whicha mounting plate 18 is secured by means of suitable fasteners 20 secured through the mounting plate 18 and the bottom wall 16 of the notch or recess 14. A horizontally opening upstanding generally V'-shaped wall structure referred to in general by the reference numeral 22 is formed integrally with the mounting plate 18 and opens horizontally towards the open end of the recess 14. The wall structure 22 includesa pair of upstanding walls 24 which are slightly divergent toward the open end of the wall structure 22 and which are joined at their convergent ends by means of an integral curved upstanding bight portion 26. The wall structure 22 is formed of rigid material although the walls 24 may be wedged slightly apart. In addition, the confronting upstanding surfaces 28 of the walls 24 define wedge surfaces whose purpose is to be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The ends of the walls 24 adjacent the bight portion 26 are provided with aligned horizontal bores 30 through which a pivot fastener 32 is removably secured and the midportion of the pivot fastener 32 is rotatably received through a transverse bore 34 formed in the lower end of an upstanding support arm 36 disposed between the converging ends of the walls 24. The upper end of the support arm 36 has a simulated golf ball 38 formed integrally therewith and will be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings that the simulated golf ball 38 is spaced above the upper surface 40 of the base 12. Further, from FIG.

3 of the drawings it may be seen that the support arm 36 is swingable from an upright position thereof illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 3 of the drawings to the generally horizontally disposed position illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

A rubber or other resilient bumper or abutment block 40 is supported from the mounting plate 18 in position to be struck by the simulated golf ball 38 when the support arm 36 swings from the solid-line position thereof illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings to the dotted line position illustrated in FIG. 3. The abutment block 40 therefore limits clockwise swinging of the support arm 36 as viewed in FIG. 3 of the drawings and it will be noted that rapid swinging of the support am 36 from the solid-line position of FIG. 3 to the dotted-line position of FIG. 3 will cause the simulated golf ball 38 to strike the block 40 with sufficient impact whereby the simulated golf ball 38 will bounce back toward the position thereof illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

The spacing between the cam or wedge surfaces 28 adjacent the bight portion 26 is slightly less than the diameter of the support arm 36 whereby when the support arm 36 swings sharply back toward the solid-line position thereof illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings after the simulated golf ball 38 has impacted with the block 40, the support arm 36 will engage the surfaces 28 in a manner such that counterclockwise swinging movement of the support arm 36 is sharply retarded. The sharp retarding of counterclockwise swinging movement of the support arm 36 is such that the support arm 36 will come to rest in the position thereof illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 3 of the drawings without the support arm 36 abutting the bight portion 26 with sufficient force to bounce in a clockwise swinging movement therefrom.

In operation, the person 44, who is right handed, assumes the correct stance on the upper surface 40 of the base 12 after the simulated golf ball 38 is positioned as illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Then, the person 44 may address the simulated golf ball 38 with his club 46 and swing as though he were to drive the simulated golf ball 38. Impact of the club head with the simulated golf ball 38 will cause the support arm 36 to swing to the phantom-line position thereof illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings as the head of the club passes over the simulated golf ball 38. Then, as the head of the club 46 continues in its swinging movement, the resiliency of the block 42, upon the simulated golf ball 38 impacting therewith, will cause the simulated golf ball 38 to swing in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 of the drawings back toward the solid-line position of the simulated golf ball 38 in FIG. 3. However, before the simulated golf ball 38 returns to its initial position, diametrically opposite portions of the support arm 36 spaced below the simulated golf ball 38 contact the surfaces 28 in frictional engagement therewith to rapidly retard counterclockwise swinging of the support arm 36 so that the latter will stop in the solid-line position thereof illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings with the support arm 36 frictionally gripped between the surfaces 28. Thus, after each swing of the club 46 the support arm 36 and the simulated golf ball 38 immediately return to the starting position so that the person 44 may again swing at the simulated golf ball 38 without adjustment of the golf practice device 10.

Although the support arm 36 and the simulated golf ball 38 are illustrated as being integrally formed, suitable means may be utilized to secure a real golf ball on top of a support arm similar to support arm 36 but which is not provided with the simulated golf ball 38 on its upper end. Further, if the person 44 is left handed, the notch or recess 14 would be formed in the upper left-hand corner of the base 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings as opposed to the lower left-hand corner.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the princi ples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

I. A base including an upper surface, an upright support arm having a generally spherical upper end enlargement spaced above said surface, means pivotally supporting the lower end of said support arm from said base for swinging movement of said arm in one direction from a first upright position to a second generally horizontal position, impact-absorbing and rebound means carried by said base and positioned for impact by said enlargement as said arm is swung sharply from said upright positionto said horizontal position and operative to cause said enlargement, and thus said arm, to swing less sharply back from said horizontal position to said upright position, said base also including kinetic-inertia-absorbing and friction-retaining means engageable with said arm upon its backswinging toward said upstanding position and operative to absorb at least substantially all of the inertia of said arm at the end of its backswing and to frictionally retain said arm in its upstanding position.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said base defines a recess opening upwardly through said upper surface, the free swinging end of said arm and said enlargement being swingable downwardly into said recess during movement of said arm to said second position and projecting above said upper surface when said arm is in said first upright position.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said base comprises a generally rectangular platform, said recess being formed in one corner portion of said base and opening outwardly of two adjacent sides of said base defining said corner portion as well as upwardly.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said impact-absorbing and rebound means carried by said base comprises a resilient abutment block anchored to said base.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said kinetic-inertiaabsorbing and friction-retaining means comprises a pair of upstanding generally parallel walls which are slightly convergent toward one pair of corresponding ends thereof, the confronting surfaces of said one pair of corresponding ends of said walls defining wedge surfaces with which opposite side surface portions of said support arm are engageable upon final backswinging movement of said arm to said upstanding position.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said impact-absorbing and rebound means carried by said base comprises a resilient abutment block anchored to said base.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said kinetic-inertiaabsorbing and friction-retaining means comprises a pair of upstanding generally parallel walls which are slightly convergent toward one pair of corresponding ends thereof, the confronting surfaces of said one pair of corresponding ends of said walls defining wedge surfaces with which opposite side surface portions of said support arm are engageable upon final backswinging movement of said arm to said upstanding position.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said spherical upper end enlargement is formed integrally with said support arm. 

1. A base including an upper surface, an upright support arm having a generally spherical upper end enlargement spaced above said surface, means pivotally supporting the lower end of said support arm from said base for swinging movement of said arm in one direction from a first upright position to a second generally horizontal position, impact-absorbing and rebound means carried by said base and positioned for impact by said enlargement as said arm is swung sharply from said upright position to said horizontal position and operative to cause said enlargement, and thus said arm, to swing less sharply back from said horizontal position to said upright position, said base also including kinetic-inertia-absorbing and friction-retaining means engageable with said arm upon its backswinging toward said upstanding position and operative to absorb at least substantially all of the inertia of said arm at the end of its backswing and to frictionally retain said arm in its upstanding position.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said base defines a recess opening upwardly through said upper surface, the free swinging end of said arm and said enlargement being swingable downwardly into said recess during movement of said arm to said second position and projecting above said upper surface when said arm is in said first upright position.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said base comprises a generally rectangular platform, said recess being formed in one corner portion of said base and opening outwardly of two adjacent sides of said base defining said corner portion as well as upwardly.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said impact-absorbing and rebound means carried by said base comprises a resilient abutment block anchored to said base.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said kinetic-inertia-absorbing and friction-retaining means comprises a pair of upstanding generally parallel walls which are slightly convergent toward one pair of corresponding ends thereof, the confronting surfaces of said one pair of corresponding ends of said walls defining wedge surfaces with which opposite side surface portions of said support arm are engageable upon final backswinging movement of said arm to said upstanding position.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said impact-absorbing and rebound means carried by said base comprises a resilient abutment block anchored to said base.
 7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said kinetic-inertia-absorbing and friction-retaining means comprises a pair of upstanding generally parallel walls which are slightly convergent toward one pair of corresponding ends thereof, the confronting surfaces of said one pair of corresponding ends of said walls defining wedge surfaces with which opposite side surface portions of said support arm are engageable upon final backswinging movement of said arm to said upstanding position.
 8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said spherical upper end enlargement is formed integrally with said support arm. 